The Atlanta Braves, winners of their last eight MLB games, are set to open up a weekend series with the New York Yankees on Friday evening.
It’s a showdown between two of MLB’s most historic franchises. The pitching matchup for Friday’s game is Tyler Mahle going for the Braves (team debut), and Max Fried (a Braves old friend) taking the ball for New York.
Before the Yankees series opener, the Braves made a notable Matt Olson change.
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Matt Olson Batting 4th on Friday
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 05: Didier Fuentes #72 and Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves celebrate their 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on August 05, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Across the last several games, Matt Olson has been batting third for the Atlanta Braves. Olson went 2-f0r-3 on Thursday against the Marlins, and hit his 32nd home run of the season, while also scoring three runs.
On Friday, he gets the nod in the cleanup spot for Atlanta. Ozzie Albies, who got an off day on Thursday, is batting third for Atlanta.
Courtesy of the team’s X page, here is the full Braves order for 8/7:
Michael Harris II is getting a day off today, and Mauricio Dubon will take his place in CF. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Drake Baldwin have also flipped in the batting order, and Ha-Seong Kim gets a rare start at SS.
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Matt Olson Quietly Putting Together MVP-Caliber Season
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 04: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on August 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It’s not being talked about like the other NL MVP candidates, but Matt Olson is quietly putting together an MVP-caliber season with the Braves.
He’s batting .269 over 115 games played (zero days off), with 32 home runs, 29 doubles, 70 RBI, an OPS+ of 143, and a BWAR of 4.2.
Those are incredibly impressive numbers, and it makes it no shocker that Atlanta has one of the best offenses in MLB.
Not saying that the Braves will go as far as Matt Olson will take them, but he is such a key part of the fold; the Braves could be doomed in the playoffs if he hits a cold spell.
Atlanta Braves Make Matt Olson Change Amid Yankees Series